Tired of eating chicken almost every night of the week?! You’re certainly not alone, considering it’s estimated that Americans eat 60 pounds of chicken every year. Good news: You can jazz up this boring bird and craft a delish pasta dish, scrumptious stir-fry meal, or even a hearty and satisfying salad — simply by spicing up your poultry with interesting flavor combinations and using different cooking methods. Dive in and give some of these protein-packed recipes a whirl!

Balsamic Chicken

Balsamic Chicken

This simple one-pot meal is super easy to throw together whenever time is of the essence. The chicken gets its rich, tangy flavor from balsamic vinegar — a low-calorie flavor enhancer that also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. And at just 260-calories per serving, you can feel free to enjoy a second helping! Get the recipe here.

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Buffalo Chicken Chili

What do you get when chili and Buffalo wings meet to make one delicious dish? Presenting my Buffalo Chicken Chili, a delicious and healthy alternative to typical greasy grub. I replace the wings with lean ground chicken, stir up a light homemade dressing, and toss in veggies for added texture and nutrition. Add some hot sauce for a fiery kick and a dollop of my whipped blue cheese topping to balance the heat, and you’re ready to dig in — guilt-free.

Caprese Chicken Burgers

Caprese Chicken Burgers

Take your burger from everyday to gourmet with these tasty Caprese Chicken Burgers. These “naked” burgers get their flavorful Italian flare from fresh mozzarella, fragrant pesto, and antioxidant-packed tomato. Pair this satisfying low-carb meal with green beans and extra tomatoes for a colorful and nutritious meal.

Chicken Curry and Vegetables

Chicken Curry and Vegetables

Drop the takeout menu and step away from your phone. Why order in when you can whip up this delicious Chicken Curry and Vegetables recipe in no time flat? This one-pot stew gets its amazing flavor from curry, turmeric, and ginger — the ultimate anti-inflammatory trio. Plus, the addition of low-fat yogurt provides a decadent creamy texture (without the extra calories and saturated fat found in traditional curries). The result is an amazing, full flavored dish that will delight your taste buds and fuel your body in all the right ways.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you love fettuccine alfredo (who doesn’t!?), you’ve got to try my healthified rendition. This Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe is every bit as smooth, velvety and tasty as the original. The sauce gets its indulgent feel from reduced-fat cream cheese and evaporated milk, a combo that delivers on flavor but helps keep things light. I tossed in some mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes because…why not? The tomatoes add a nice pop of color and the pair delivers a bunch of nutrients, too. This dish will become your new favorite go-to comfort food.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

My yummy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are packed with colorful crunchy veggies and flavored up with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and plum sauce for a tasty Asian flare. Your kids will have a blast using the lettuce leaves as a scooper, and you’ll feel good about fueling up the family with a wholesome, nutrient-packed meal. Plus, if you have picky eaters in the house, this recipe can easily be adapted to suit individual taste buds. My youngest daughter, Ayden, doesn’t care for cilantro, while my son, Cole, loves his ultra-spicy — so I put the herbs and spices on the side for each to add their own!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

There’s nothing more soothing than a steamy bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup. In my version of this cozy classic, I use whole grain noodles, lean chicken, and colorful veggies to create the ultimate healthy comfort food. Not only does this soup make for a warm, delicious meal that is low in calories, but it can be conveniently frozen into 2-cup portions and stored for up to a month. So go ahead and make a big batch, then heat and serve on rainy days or cool nights.

Chopped Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts

Chopped Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts

If you’re tired of eating that same old salad with plain grilled chicken, add some pizzazz with my Chopped Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts. The double dose of high-quality protein from the chicken and chickpeas will help you to feel satiated and energized until your next meal. Plus, the chopped apples and zesty raspberry vinaigrette provide a refreshingly fruity twist. Not to mention the punch of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and disease-fighting antioxidants from the crunchy nuts and creamy avocado. This salad really does have it all!

Grilled Chicken Parmesan

Grilled Chicken Parmesan

Everyone LOVES chicken Parmesan, but the traditional version is usually made with greasy fried chicken cutlets and smothered with loads of full-fat cheese, causing a typical restaurant portion to top 1,000 calories and 50 grams of fat — and that’s before you even consider the pasta on the side. Yikes! To make this Italian classic lighter, I bake or grill the chicken and use low-fat cheese to slash calories and fat, plus I season it liberally with Italian herbs and marinara sauce to provide plenty of delicious flavor. In fact, my Grilled Chicken Parmesan is so easy to make, I’m not sure you can call it a recipe

Low-Carb Chicken Pizza

Low-Carb Chicken Pizza

If you’re looking to cut down on refined carbohydrates or working on managing your blood sugar levels, this low-carb spin on traditional pizza is a must-try. Instead of layering toppings on pizza dough, I pile them onto a thinly pounded chicken breast. This not only allows you to save calories, but also provides a powerful punch of lean protein. Pretty cool, huh? You can even put out different toppings and allow each family member to create their own masterpiece. Peppers, ‘shrooms, onions, turkey sausage, part skim ricotta cheese — anything goes! Get the recipe here.

 

For another fun chicken-inspired recipe, give these Chicken Dippers with Satay Sauce a shot.

 

Jazz Up Your Chicken Dishes

Tired of eating chicken almost every night of the week?! You’re certainly not alone, considering it’s estimated that Americans eat 60 pounds of chicken every year. Good news: You can jazz up this boring bird and craft a delish pasta dish, scrumptious stir-fry meal, or even a hearty and satisfying salad — simply by spicing up your poultry with interesting flavor combinations and using different cooking methods. Dive in and give some of these protein-packed recipes a whirl!